Evaluating the Equality Assessment.

As we recognize the importance of equality in marital relationships, it is useful to be able to assess the balance of power in relationships. When assessing equality in a marital relationship, scholars have differentiated between power processes and power outcomes (Cromwell & Olson, 1975).

Power processes are the patterns of interaction among couples, the communication techniques that they use with each other when they are discussing decisions to be made (Babcock, Waltz, Jacobson, & Gottman, 1993). These techniques include their level of assertiveness, listening to their spouse’s point of view, domination, and control. A scale was recently developed to assess the degree to which a person perceives that his or her spouse tries to dominate the process of decision-making (Miller, Day, & Bogue, 2008; see questions in Access Equal Partnership.

Notice that the statements refer to assessment of the spouse’s behavior. That is because family scholars have learned that people tend to give more honest answers when they are reporting on someone else’s behavior rather than their own.

We are often unaware of some of our own behavior and we often minimize our weaknesses. On the other hand, we are generally very aware of others’ behavior and are quick to recognize their weaknesses. Agreeing with these statements indicates

Agreeing with the statements suggests an unequal relationship, while disagreeing with the statements indicates an equal partnership. Readers may want to use these scales to assess their own relationships.